Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Islamic State

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent representations they have received about the interpretation and implementation of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to the actions by ISIS against Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq; what response they are making to such representations; and what specific actions they intend to take to establish an international consensus on these matters.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to meet the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide to discuss the situation of Christians and Yazidis in Syria and Iraq.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work is being undertaken by the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide in relation to the situation of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to declare ISIS’s actions against Christians and Yazidis a genocide.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government has received a number of recent representations on these issues from Parliament and members of the public and is responding in writing.We condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed by Daesh against all civilians, including Christians, Mandeans, Yazidis, and other minorities, as well as the majority Muslim population who continue to bear the brunt of Daesh’s brutality. The UK has led efforts within the UN to tackle and condemn Daesh and on the protection of civilians more widely. For example, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution mandating the UN to investigate and report on Daesh abuses.It is a long-standing Government policy that any judgements on whether genocide has occurred are a matter for the international judicial system rather than governments or other non-judicial bodies.Ultimately, the only way to protect Christians, Yazidis and other minorities in the region from Daesh is by defeating this terrible organisation, which in turn requires, amongst other things, ending the conflict in Syria. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), set out the UK’s comprehensive strategy for defeating Daesh and finding a political settlement to the Syria conflict in his response to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 26 November 2015.The joint Office of the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (the Office) are engaged with these issues and publish much of their activity online, including statements in relation to the situation of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq. Our officials maintain regular contact with officials from the Office to discuss issues related to the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. The Government provides funding for the Office, including for their work with religious leaders and faith based organisations in the Middle East and North Africa region, aimed at the prevention of incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes.

Syria: Military Intervention

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of Russia about civilian casualties resulting from its aerial bombing in Syria.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have repeatedly made clear to the Russian government our serious concerns about its bombing campaign in Syria. We have consistently called on Russia to focus its targeting on Daesh and to cease the targeting of moderate opposition groups. We have also expressed concern over the numbers of civilian casualties being reported as a result of Russian strikes. These have been evidenced by human rights groups such as Amnesty International who have claimed that at least 200 civilians have been killed by Russian airstrikes in Syria since September 2015, accusing Russia of “serious failures to respect international humanitarian law”. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has raised our concerns about Russia’s approach with Foreign Minister Lavrov, including at meetings of the International Syria Support Group. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), discussed Syria with President Putin at the G20 Summit in Antalya, and in a telephone conversation on 9 December following Parliament’s vote to support military action against Daesh in Syria.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding measures taken by that government against Palestinian herding communities in Area C during November and December 2015, including the destruction of items provided by international organisations as humanitarian assistance.

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the destruction of structures in al Hadidiya in November 2015, despite an injunction by the Israeli Civil Administration, in particular a one-kilometre section of road serving that community and funded by an international donor.

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the 38 herding communities located in West Bank areas that have been designated by the Israeli authorities as closed for military training zones.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not made representations on these specific issues to the Israeli authorities. We do, however, regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities over demolitions and settlement-building.

Commonwealth: Religious Freedom

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 9 December 2015 (HL4410), whether any other Commonwealth countries prohibit the public observance of any religion other than Islam; and what discussions they have held with the Commonwealth authorities over freedom of religion.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Further to my previous answer there are no other Commonwealth countries where the public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited. We continue to believe that all Commonwealth members should abide by the Commonwealth Charter which emphasises the need to promote tolerance, respect, understanding, moderation and religious freedom as critical steps in promoting peace and prosperity.At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015, Heads reaffirmed the importance of human rights. They recognised that freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of religion or belief are cornerstones of democratic societies, and important for the enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development, and are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They also emphasised the need to protect individuals from all forms of violence and discrimination.We will continue to raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief with those countries concerned. We will also continue to encourage Commonwealth partners to embrace the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including the freedom of religion or belief. We also look forward to discussing freedom of religion and other issues with the new Commonwealth Secretary General when she takes up office in April.

Capital Punishment

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their representatives in any UK embassies are banned from making representations concerning capital punishment in any country or countries.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: No such bans exist. On the contrary, the pursuit of the abolition of the death penalty is part of what the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has called the “every day work” of our missions in countries which continue to implement the death penalty.

Iraq: Dams

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are consulting the governments of Iraq, the United States and Italy about the Mosul Dam on the Tigris River, and in particular about the case for downstream flood warnings and preparations, and repairs and maintenance work, to prevent collapse.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are in close touch with the Governments of Iraq, the US and our European partners, as well as the UN, about the Mosul Dam.The Government of Iraq has begun to take measures to improve the structural integrity of the Mosul Dam as there is a risk the dam could fail. It is currently impossible to accurately predict if or when this might occur. A failure could lead to major flooding in the Tigris river valley, from Mosul to Baghdad.Alongside the US, we are working with the Government of Iraq, the UN and other partners to ensure Iraq has effective contingency planning in place, including early warning and humanitarian planning, to enable ordinary Iraqis and the international community to respond in the event of failure. Our Embassy has plans to ensure staff are safe and we have updated our travel advice to highlight the risk to the general public.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to ensure that the government of Israel complies with the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 22 December 2015 regarding unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: UN General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding; Article 10 of the Charter of the UN states that the General Assembly “may make recommendations to the Members of the United Nations or to the Security Council”. The UK, and all other EU Member States, abstained on the General Assembly resolution regarding unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries. The UK, the EU and other Member States are of the view that unilateral economic measures should respect the principles of international law, including the international contractual obligations of the State applying them and the rules of the World Trade Organization where applicable. The UK, the EU and other Member States consider that such unilateral economic measures are admissible in certain circumstances in particular when necessary in order to fight terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or to uphold respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance. The UK has no plans to ensure any particular country complies with this resolution.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding its plan to strip Jerusalem residency rights from Palestinians in the wake of recent violence.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We make clear our concerns about the situation in East Jerusalem, including on Palestinian residency rights, to the Israeli authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem, both bilaterally and in co-operation with EU partners. Our Consul-General to Jerusalem raised this issue most recently with the Mayor of Jerusalem on 28 October 2015.

Israel: Bedouin

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the demolitions in the Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar that are reported to have rendered 25 people, including 17 children, homeless.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: An official from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns on this issue with the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories on 13 January. The UK is deeply concerned by Israeli proposals to relocate Bedouin population from E1 area, which the UN have said could constitute forcible transfer. These plans could have a devastating impact on the communities concerned and will likely open the way for further settlement expansion – endangering the viability of a two-state solution.

Syria: Foreign Relations

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contact, if any, they have had with the Assad regime in Syria over the last two months.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There has been no contact with the Asad regime over the last two months. Since the closure of the Syrian Embassy in London in August 2012, the British Government has had only limited contact with the Asad regime in relation to consular matters. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), wrote to the Syrian Foreign Minister in August 2015 about a consular case.

Capital Punishment

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it remains their policy that the UK does not support the death penalty under any circumstances, and in any country; and if so, what action they have taken to condemn the mass execution of 47 people in Saudi Arabia on 2 January.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. We have expressed these concerns to the Saudi authorities, most recently on 14 January.

Wales Office

Regional Planning and Development: North of England

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the press release issued by the Welsh Office on 30 December 2015 entitled Wylfa a "terrific success story" for Wales and key part of Northern Powerhouse vision, and the comment by the Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb, that "the Chancellor’s plan for the Northern Powerhouse is about balancing our growth, building a strong economy and maintaining a strong United Kingdom. Anglesey’s Energy Island can help ensure that north Wales plays a key part in this vision", whether North Wales is part of the Northern Powerhouse; and if so, what role the Welsh Assembly, Welsh Government, and appropriate Welsh local authorities are playing in the decision-making on the Northern Powerhouse and its investment and other activities.

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, on 13 January (HC Deb, col 845), whether any part of North Wales forms a part of the Northern Powerhouse, and if so, which parts, and what procedures, exist for joint decision-making with and support from the Welsh Government.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: This Government has presided over a fundamental shift of power from Westminster to the people and communities of this country by promoting unprecedented decentralisation. North Wales is an integral part of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse vision. Businesses and Local Authorities in North Wales who Wales Office Ministers speak to are clear that North East Wales and North West England form one single economic entity and are best placed to drive economic development and deliver public services.

Regional Planning and Development: North of England

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether North Wales is to be included in the Northern Powerhouse.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Northern Powerhouse presents a once in a generation opportunity to redress the North-South economic imbalance. North Wales is an integral part of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse vision.

Department for Education

Offences against Children

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Ofsted report highlighting a 60 per cent increase in the number of children who have died as a result of abuse and neglect in the past year.

Lord Nash: The death of any child is a tragedy. We want all children at risk of abuse or neglect to be identified early, to have timely and proportionate assessments of their individual needs, and to have the right services provided at the right time.The Ofsted statistical release, Serious Incident Notifications from local authority children’s services 2015, reports a 17 percent increase in the number of cases of child death being notified to Ofsted compared to the previous year. The rise in numbers of deaths reported to Ofsted does not necessarily indicate a rise in the number of child deaths. The official figures for the number of child deaths in 2014-2015 will be published by Office for National Statistics (ONS) later in the year.The Ofsted statistical release contains experimental data, based on information supplied by local authorities about serious incident notifications. What constitutes a serious incident is set out in statutory guidance, Working Together 2015. The Ofsted report is just one of a range of data sources relating to serious incidents involving children. It is not, however, the official source of data on child deaths, which is collected by the ONS. The Government also publishes reviews of homicide and child deaths, which together enable a more accurate assessment of the number and causes of child death.

Ministry of Justice

Peers: Writs of Summons

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many writs of summons were sent to Peers in 2015, and how many were returned undelivered.

Lord Faulks: 704 Writs of Summons were sent out to peers at the Dissolution of Parliament on 30 March 2015. Information on the number of Writs that were returned is not held centrally.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Pay Television: Older People

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to requiring Sky, Virgin Media, and other suppliers of televisual media to provide their services free of charge to those over 75, on the model now required of the BBC.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: None. This is a commercial matter for those companies.

Ministry of Defence

Hong Kong: Veterans

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Armed Forces Covenant extends to former members of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps and the Hong Kong Royal Naval Service.

Earl Howe: The Government acknowledges the important contribution made by members of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps and the Hong Kong Royal Naval Service. As a consequence of their Service, members qualify as veterans and, where appropriate, are subject to the provisions set out in the Armed Forces Covenant.

Northern Ireland Office

Human Rights

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what dates since the Belfast Agreement in 1998 they have discussed with the government of the Republic of Ireland (1) human rights in the UK, and (2) human rights in the Republic of Ireland; who took part in those discussions; what were the issues discussed; and what were the various outcomes.

Lord Dunlop: The UK and Irish Governments meet regularly at ministerial and official level to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. These include matters relating to human rights in Northern Ireland and Ireland as contained in the Belfast Agreement of 1998.

Equality: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 27 November 2015 (HL3723) concerning parity of esteem in Northern Ireland, whether they believe in parity of esteem for all the people "in" Northern Ireland, or only those "of" Northern Ireland.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 27 November 2015 (HL3723), whether parity of esteem is their policy for all citizens of the UK, and if not, why not.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Dunlop on 27 November (HL3723), 8 December (HL4130) and 23 December 2015 (HL4429), why they have not answered specifically about how parity of esteem applies to security personnel, as requested.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they measure and document parity of esteem as promised in the Belfast Agreement 1998.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define parity of esteem as set out in the Belfast Agreement 1998.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the security forces who served in Northern Ireland are entitled to parity of esteem on the same basis as those from Northern Ireland.

Lord Dunlop: As I have made clear in previous answers on this subject the UK Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.